Bootblack booklet.pdf Bootblack booklet.pdf
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There are many Reasons to Bootblack, for some it is: 

  • Fetish
  • Service
  • Spirituality 

As with most things, there is always more then one way of doing things. This is just one method, and the one I use. 

Things you need to know… 

  • There are many type of boots out there in terms of cleaning and polishing, learn what is needed for those boots.
  • You do not need a huge kit to be a bootblack, let alone doing your personal boots/shoes 

The following describes some of the items one needs in Every Kit  

Basic Bootblack Cleaning Tools

  • Cotton Towels to dry the boots.
  • Water spray bottle to help with cleaning the boots with water.
  • The toothbrush is to get into hard to reach areas to clean and get the dirt out before applying the grease or polish. If you clean a lot of boots, you can get a toothbrush brush that will last longer then a normal toothbrush that is made out of horsehair. 

Saddle Soap

Saddle Soap is used to clean the boots. A lot of manufactures make saddle soap. i like to use Fiebings yellow, however go with what you can find. The easiest to find is Kiwi, and can be found in grocery stores or pharmacies. 

Brushes/Dobbers

Daubers are the ones that have the circular bristles and are mainly used for cleaning the boots with Saddle Soap. Brushes are the rectangular ones, they are used to help buff polish boots. There are many different sizes of both, get the one’s that best suit your need. Also have a separate daubers for Grease and Polish boots. 

Polish    

There are two main brands that i use.

  • Kiwi is great for a beginner because it softer and able to coat the boot more smoothly.
  • Lincoln is a harder wax, but in having so gives a better shine. Lincoln is also good for spit shines. 

It is preferable to the parade wax that Kiwi makes. 

Flannel 

  • Flannel is used for final buffing on polish boots.
  • You can buy flannel at local fabric shop cheeply instead of buying buffing cloths. Just wash the felt multiple times to get out the lint.

Dubbin 

  • For grease boots I use this product. It is imported from Australia and is the only brand that I found to work great on refreshing the black color on grease boots. Dubbin does come in brown tints as well as neutral. 

Some Other Useful Items 

  • Huberd’s Boot Grease
  • Lighter
  • Grease Pencils
  • Sharpie (Black)
  • Hand Sanitizer

 How to …….

 Prep Boots 

  • Spritz Boots
  • Spritz soap and brush
  • Apply saddle soap
  • Towel off 

Grease Boots 

  • Take small amount Dubbin and massage in
  • Depending on Customer apply Huberd’s in the same way 

Polish Boots 

  • Apply polish
  • Let dry
  • Brush
  • Buff
  • Repeat 


Protocols for sitting in a Bootblack Chair 

Many of the bootblacks thought most of the things listed below were well known to the community and did not need to be said, based on common protocols in the

leather community. It was recently proven that we were incorrect in that assumption, and listing it in this booklet and at events is a necessity to protect bootblacks and ensure that those being served understand the protocols of service. 

Bootblacks most often are compensated in an event that lasts three days in the exchange for 10-12 hours of volunteer work. During an hour, a bootblack usually can do anywhere from 35 pairs of boots depending on how busy it is, how big the boots are, etc.. That means during that event, there is a chance of that bootblack doing close to 60 pairs of boots, shoes, corsets, or other leather items. So during those three days there is a very good chance that a good deal of their supplies will be depleted. Those bootblacks are also almost always required to split anywhere from 50-75% of their tips with a local charity, before expenses. 

Here are some general rules to follow when sitting in a Bootblack's Chair:

  • Many Bootblacks depend on their tips to help with expenses of supplies, gas,etc., as well as donating a portion of their tips to a charity so please tip the Bootblack generously! 

  • NO ONE has the right to demand service from a Bootblack and ALL Bootblacks reserve the right to decline service. Bootblacks can and will turn down service to you if you become belligerent or are just an asshole. Bootblacks will protect each other. Ass-hats are not tolerated   and will be blacklisted through word of mouth. 

  • Do Not Touch the Bootblack without asking permission first. 
  • Ask permission to touch ANY items in a bootblack kit 
  • Do Not assume the Bootblack is a submissive or slave (calling a Bootblack-"boy" will not end well for you if they are indeed a Daddy or Sir) Bootblacking is a skill set and isn't about gender or honorifics. 
  • Do Not assume the bootblack is there to satisfy your sexual boot fantasy. (That being said, Negotiate a scene prior to sitting in their chair).
  • Just because the person before you had their boots licked DOES NOT mean yours will be licked also. 
  • It is the Bootblack's decision who they will service and when and the decision is FINAL.